Soliciting opinions: Jeff Strand (not Streff Jand)

Kreep · **Joined:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:19 pm **Posts:** 237

So my wife says I can pick out any book I want as my Valentine's Day gift. I've been wanting to check out Jeff Strand for a while now, so I think I'm going to get one of his books. Where should I start? I was thinking about picking up Mandibles because I recently had so much fun wit Ray Garton's 'Nids. Or do you guys think I should start with one of the Andrew Mayhem titles? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Mark Justice · **Joined:** Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:28 am **Posts:** 1683

I would recommend Pressure. While it's not the horror-humor hybrid Strand is noted for, it's a fast-moving and chilling thriller.

Matt Cowan · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:03 pm

This probabley won't help any but I sugest, Alone with the Horror's by, none other than the great one, RAMSEY CAMPBELL!

ristow · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:09 pm

It might be pushing it to ask your wife for "two twisted nuts" I wouldn't ask mine, but then again, she's resolutely not a horror fan, with the exception of anne rice here and there.

Kreep · **Joined:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:19 pm **Posts:** 237

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm still no closer to a decision, though. Between this board and Lost & Damned, I got quite a few suggestions for Pressure. Initially, I couldn't decide between two books (Mandibles & Graverobbers Wanted); now I can't decide between three!

At least it sounds like whatever book I get, it's going to be great.

Thanks again!

David T. Wilbanks · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:13 am

Matt Cowan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:34 pm

Kreep · **Joined:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:19 pm **Posts:** 237

ristow · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:30 pm

Matt Cowan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:08 pm

Hey Rich,

I actually haven't read that one yet. I own it but haven't read it, so unfortunately, I can't answer your question. I have heard that it starts a bit slowly, but I can't say for myself. I have read lots of his short stories (which I actually enjoy the most of his) but have read some of his novels, as well. I can tell you about the ones I have read of his.

Ancient Images - My personal favorite. It revolves around a 50 year old Bela Lugosi/ Boris Karloff movie that has been supressed due to a dark secret that surrounds it. Great book!

Midnight Sun- Difficult to explain breifly but an author of childrens books returns home to where he grew up. His house is next to a forest where something evil has been awaiting his return. Takes place in the winter time and is an excellent read.

Incarnate- It's about an experiment with a group of prophetic dreamers which accidentally summons up something powerful. I read this one earlier this year and really enjoyed it.

The Darkest Part of the Woods- This one has a Lovecratian theme running through it about a forest that hides a dark secret and 'things' that are not human. I liked this book but not as much as those above.

The Long Lost- This is probabley a good book if you can make it past all the build up at the beginning, but I could not. I read over a hundred pages and not much seemed to be happening. It's about a strange old woman this couple finds alone on an island or something, and for reason's I can no longer recall, stays with them. I got the impression that she was going to turn out to be an evil entity but who knows, I never finished it.

If you get a chance to read his short story collection , Alone with the Horrors, you won't regret it. My top ten all time favorite horror short stories would likely come from this book alone.

Anyway, sorry I wasn't more help in this regard.

Soliciting opinions: Jeff Strand (not Streff Jand)

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